Same old me. Starting over is never easy but that being said I am excited to make my mark here on Simple and Sweet. I'm a little out of my comfort zone here but I'm sure in no time at all I will find my new rhythm. What are some of the things that I find simple and sweet?
Children's laughter
Time spent alone with my love
Girl time with my daughter
Family time!
Picking up my soft cuddly dog
Flowers, lots of them
Just off the top of my head...
Monday, October 29, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Blog Book
I'm going to keep this post rather short...life is crazy, busy and full of everyday blessings. I found something the other day and would like to share it with my blog world friends. So many memories have I shared here on my blog. I found that I can actually use a very handy website to import the highlights in a book. Blurb.com works right along with blogger...it will upload your blog and you can create a book. I played with it a little bit last night. It was really neat to see all of this in book form and if I haven't mentioned it before, I love books...my thoughts and memories in a book? Priceless!
I'm not a scrapbooker...as much as I would enjoy it I just find it a daunting task to go back through so many years...I think how neat it would be to sum up every year with a book of memories recorded from my blog...so check it out. Blurb.com
Wishing you a beautiful day!
Joyce Marie
I'm not a scrapbooker...as much as I would enjoy it I just find it a daunting task to go back through so many years...I think how neat it would be to sum up every year with a book of memories recorded from my blog...so check it out. Blurb.com
Wishing you a beautiful day!
Joyce Marie
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Random Thoughts!
It's Wednesday and things are pretty quiet. Our weather is mild and warm here still...especially today. At 74 degrees I am loving still being able to wear warm weather clothing. I dread putting my sandals away and yet I know within days that most probably will happen.
I am praying fervently for our country as we are really little more than a month away from our election. The big debate is tonight. I am going to watch it...I would rather be watching something else because I know it is going to be painful. I am praying for God's mercy on our nation and I hope that those who stayed home last election will go and make a stand and vote. Did you know only about 50% of Christians vote? These past four years have been long and I fear for our freedom...for our financial stability. I have seen it in my brother's life. He has struggled these past four years and it has left a mark on him, it has aged him. I know there are others like him out there. We need such a revival in this country. I am praying that God will put the right man in and if he so chooses for us to have another four years of of the same that we will have a revival in this land. I can think of no other reason to have to endure what we have all been enduring...but these are my thoughts and I am praying that I, myself will not go into a nose dive with the results...but I am prepared to just have faith and trust that God doesn't do anything without it coming out good in the end.
I took a walk down memory lane today and visited some of my most favorite homeschool sites. I am looking for one book in particular. I remember it vaguely. I remember the person vaguely but for the life of me I can't remember her name. It made me sad looking at all of those wonderful books...some that we we visited and some that we didn't have a chance to. Wish I could go back and start from the beginning. What wonderful memories I have.
Getting ready for another busy night here at dance. Soon pretty little ballerina's will be marching toward our doorstep anxiously awaiting their class. I am blessed. I am truly blessed!
Be Blessed!
Joyce Marie
I am praying fervently for our country as we are really little more than a month away from our election. The big debate is tonight. I am going to watch it...I would rather be watching something else because I know it is going to be painful. I am praying for God's mercy on our nation and I hope that those who stayed home last election will go and make a stand and vote. Did you know only about 50% of Christians vote? These past four years have been long and I fear for our freedom...for our financial stability. I have seen it in my brother's life. He has struggled these past four years and it has left a mark on him, it has aged him. I know there are others like him out there. We need such a revival in this country. I am praying that God will put the right man in and if he so chooses for us to have another four years of of the same that we will have a revival in this land. I can think of no other reason to have to endure what we have all been enduring...but these are my thoughts and I am praying that I, myself will not go into a nose dive with the results...but I am prepared to just have faith and trust that God doesn't do anything without it coming out good in the end.
I took a walk down memory lane today and visited some of my most favorite homeschool sites. I am looking for one book in particular. I remember it vaguely. I remember the person vaguely but for the life of me I can't remember her name. It made me sad looking at all of those wonderful books...some that we we visited and some that we didn't have a chance to. Wish I could go back and start from the beginning. What wonderful memories I have.
Getting ready for another busy night here at dance. Soon pretty little ballerina's will be marching toward our doorstep anxiously awaiting their class. I am blessed. I am truly blessed!
Be Blessed!
Joyce Marie
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Curtains out of napkins? Yes I did!
I have been feeling really blah. A constant tickle in my throat has about put and end to me. So...I decided to tell you what I did this past summer...
I decided on a whim...I do that ALOT to research all white kitchens. They are so pretty. I have extremely high hopes to do major demolition in my kitchen one of these days. I swoon over IKEA kitchens! I have everything planned in my head...ask me and I can tell you just what everything is going to be...but then reality is reality and my dream kitchen will just have to wait until we feel comfortable in this economy to make the leap. I lay in bed one night and decided the next day I was going to do my version oof an all white kitchen. Mine has just a hint of vanilla to warm it up a tad. Anyway. Brittany and I had a whole week off from dance and I figured since I helped her so much she could help me and she gladly did. We took five days to paint...no wait...that's right we weren't off of dance it was our first week of summer classes. What was I thinking? We managed to get the whole kitchen done including cabinets and walls. Do I like it? Yes, it'll do until I can create the kitchen of my dreams.
I opened up my two windows so that I could get all the light I wanted in there. I really wanted to cover the door for privacy sake...wondering through target I found the cutest linens for tables. I fell in love with the bright golden, yellow lattice set. So I bought one pack of napkins, a new curtain rod and one of the best inventions by far...aka "the curtain clip".
Home we went with new towels and rugs and cute little things that we saw in the kitchen isle...who knew that diviner napkins could make the perfect cafe curtains for my door. All the work is already done for me and I love the results.
I also purchased a matching tablecloth to tie in my dining room to my kitchen...I have a thing with that. Then, after falling in love with my new yellow curtains I decided that I didn't need th tablecloth after all...I would make curtains for my dining room from the tablecloth. It took me about five trips to different Target stores but in the end I was able to find enough of the same pattern and size to create my curtains. Then, feeling so proud of myself I have seen it since all over Pinterest of ladies doing the same thing. Oh we'll...great minds I guess.
I'm having trouble posting pics on my iPad so as soon as I figure it out...I'll post them.
Sunday blessing!
Joyce Marie
I decided on a whim...I do that ALOT to research all white kitchens. They are so pretty. I have extremely high hopes to do major demolition in my kitchen one of these days. I swoon over IKEA kitchens! I have everything planned in my head...ask me and I can tell you just what everything is going to be...but then reality is reality and my dream kitchen will just have to wait until we feel comfortable in this economy to make the leap. I lay in bed one night and decided the next day I was going to do my version oof an all white kitchen. Mine has just a hint of vanilla to warm it up a tad. Anyway. Brittany and I had a whole week off from dance and I figured since I helped her so much she could help me and she gladly did. We took five days to paint...no wait...that's right we weren't off of dance it was our first week of summer classes. What was I thinking? We managed to get the whole kitchen done including cabinets and walls. Do I like it? Yes, it'll do until I can create the kitchen of my dreams.
I opened up my two windows so that I could get all the light I wanted in there. I really wanted to cover the door for privacy sake...wondering through target I found the cutest linens for tables. I fell in love with the bright golden, yellow lattice set. So I bought one pack of napkins, a new curtain rod and one of the best inventions by far...aka "the curtain clip".
Home we went with new towels and rugs and cute little things that we saw in the kitchen isle...who knew that diviner napkins could make the perfect cafe curtains for my door. All the work is already done for me and I love the results.
I also purchased a matching tablecloth to tie in my dining room to my kitchen...I have a thing with that. Then, after falling in love with my new yellow curtains I decided that I didn't need th tablecloth after all...I would make curtains for my dining room from the tablecloth. It took me about five trips to different Target stores but in the end I was able to find enough of the same pattern and size to create my curtains. Then, feeling so proud of myself I have seen it since all over Pinterest of ladies doing the same thing. Oh we'll...great minds I guess.
I'm having trouble posting pics on my iPad so as soon as I figure it out...I'll post them.
Sunday blessing!
Joyce Marie
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Vicks on my feet...it works!
Well, I have been racking my brain with ideas for my blog. Searching for interesting topics and all things creative and wouldn't you know it that as September is upon us so has our weather changed which brought sinus headaches, allergies, colds and coughs to our area and yes I've been bitten with a cold. UGH!
The nagging cough started yesterday, you know, the kind of cough that makes your head throb every time you cough and makes your gag reflex go nuts. Oh yes, I am there. Not getting much sleep this week, I am beginning to feel desperate so I began to research relief because cough medicines do not normally work, at least for me. Tempted to run to the store I began to look up ingredients for a Hot Toddy. Me, not being an expert of alchohol at all...I wouldn't even know what to look for but desperate times call for desperate measures. I decided that I would instead try Vicks on my feet before bed. It's posted all over the internet and people say it works. I have some so, what the heck. My Dennis, said he thinks we have tried it before but I don't remember and desperate to get a good nights sleep I was willing to give it another try. I took a nice steamy, hot bath and pulled on my most comfy Jammie's and finally grabbed the jar of Vicks and put a rather thick amount onto the bottom of my feet. I would have thought that it would make my feet cold but once I put my socks on I was pleasantly surprised that my feet had a nice warmness on the bottom. I can assure you that it worked. I did also take some cough Medicine and had my cough drops beside me just in case but almost instantly I felt relief. I slept all the way through the night. The funny thing is. I took my socks off this morning...put my flip flops on to take my fur kids outside and I have been coughing my head off for the past hour.
Did it work...yes. I think further trial is I order...and I am going to go back upstairs and grab those socks out of the clothes basket just as soon as I finish this post. (because, as I have typed this I have coughed my head off) I'll let you know my findings. I may continue the research on the Hot Toddy just in case. Just to have on hand for those winter time coughs. I think it's time to get back on my vitamin C. Here is hoping to me having a better day today :)
Have a blessed day!
Joyce Marie
The nagging cough started yesterday, you know, the kind of cough that makes your head throb every time you cough and makes your gag reflex go nuts. Oh yes, I am there. Not getting much sleep this week, I am beginning to feel desperate so I began to research relief because cough medicines do not normally work, at least for me. Tempted to run to the store I began to look up ingredients for a Hot Toddy. Me, not being an expert of alchohol at all...I wouldn't even know what to look for but desperate times call for desperate measures. I decided that I would instead try Vicks on my feet before bed. It's posted all over the internet and people say it works. I have some so, what the heck. My Dennis, said he thinks we have tried it before but I don't remember and desperate to get a good nights sleep I was willing to give it another try. I took a nice steamy, hot bath and pulled on my most comfy Jammie's and finally grabbed the jar of Vicks and put a rather thick amount onto the bottom of my feet. I would have thought that it would make my feet cold but once I put my socks on I was pleasantly surprised that my feet had a nice warmness on the bottom. I can assure you that it worked. I did also take some cough Medicine and had my cough drops beside me just in case but almost instantly I felt relief. I slept all the way through the night. The funny thing is. I took my socks off this morning...put my flip flops on to take my fur kids outside and I have been coughing my head off for the past hour.
Did it work...yes. I think further trial is I order...and I am going to go back upstairs and grab those socks out of the clothes basket just as soon as I finish this post. (because, as I have typed this I have coughed my head off) I'll let you know my findings. I may continue the research on the Hot Toddy just in case. Just to have on hand for those winter time coughs. I think it's time to get back on my vitamin C. Here is hoping to me having a better day today :)
Have a blessed day!
Joyce Marie
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Then came summer
So, I have been contemplating a LOT these last few months. The past sixteen months or so were so busy that I found myself much of the time just holding on with both hands (and feet) and I guess you can say just going with the flow.
Then came summer, a lighter schedule loads of free time and plenty of rest and suddenly I am excited and full of ideas. It's funny how when you can just be quiet for a while you can sometimes get to know yourself. Barely had I finished homeschooling and Brittany had the opportunity of a lifetime (you can read previous posts in case your wondering what that is.) Here we are back in September and God has blessed her with another year of little dancers. We have learned so much along the way. Some we decided we would do differently this year and that leads me to today. I am so excited to have the opportunity and the blessing to work with my daughter...to see her creativity grow with each day and to use our relationship as a testimony to all that we meet. This year my schedule has loosened up and I am enjoying it so much. Technically, I only need to be at the studio three nights a week (at least for now) even though most weeks I'll be in there four, because I find it hard to tear myself away from the kids.
Anyway...we had such a fun summer. We were able to just have some down time. We enjoyed a week at the beach and traveled with Dennis a week to Baltimore. He worked as Brittany and I ventured out and did some sight seeing. There is no better team building exercise than to brave DC traffic together i assure you. YIKES! I have to admit I did have to recuperate a bit afterward but this small city girl drove through big city traffic for a whole week. I am so thankful that our commute to dance each day tops not more than 35 mph, lol.
I have been thinking hard about changing my blog, changing the title of my blog, changing the location of my blog and I still don't know quite for sure what I'm going to do. I have been running blog titles through my head for months and every time I do I always see my sweet little girl coming over the hillside by our home. The sun shining on her hair, a precious smile on her face and a little fist full of all the yellow dandelions she could find. Those are some of the best memories of my life. I wish I had a picture but i guess I do in my mind as clear as day. I remember, thinking how we were having the lawn treated for dandelions and she was bringing them back seeds and all because she liked to gather the fuzzy ones too.
Now those pesky little flowers have become a reminder of sweet summer days. She still brings me flowers...usually daffodils these days. So for now, I will remain right here although I think I am going to change the tone of my blog. My blog has evolved from home and family and homeschooling to hanging on for dear life posts lol. At least it felt like that to me over the last year, now I hope to start incorporating things that I am actually finding that I enjoy. I am proud to say there is life after homeschooling, I have begun to see and do and enjoy different things and I can't wait to write about them here. I hate to say it but I am quickly approaching the big Five-O! I can't say that I'm looking forward to it, if I'm honest it scares me to death but I am trying not to think about it. I figure, Lord willing I have 50 more years ahead of me to enjoy, right? So I'm going to get to it. More to come...
Joyce Marie
Decluttering me!
I have been busy these past couple of weeks "decluttering myself". It amazes me how many empty bottles and containers I keep. What is with that? Well no more I am turning over a new leaf and each and every day I take a few minutes and attack something I have been meaning to do. My "something I've been meaning to do's" have been piling up on me for far too long and I am feeling more and more liberated with each full trash bag. So far I have attacked my kitchen, my bathroom and my dresser! Brittany has gotten in the spirit and cleaned my linen closet yesterday...thank you sweet Brittany! I'm looking forward to what I get to this week...a little bit each day really makes a difference.
Blessings!
Joyce Marie
Blessings!
Joyce Marie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)